Missouri DEQ Seeks Comments on Unilever Remedy and Regulatory Release

MO DNR Environmental Newsroom

Published March 16th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comments on a proposed final remedy for the Unilever HPC-USA facility. The proposal suggests no further corrective action is needed and seeks to release the facility from hazardous waste storage regulations.

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What changed

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR) is soliciting public input on a proposed final remedy and regulatory release for the Unilever HPC-USA facility in Jefferson City. The department has determined that the facility has met federal and state requirements for closure and cleanup of hazardous waste management units. Consequently, MoDNR proposes to deem no further corrective action necessary and to release the facility from its obligations under the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Law and RCRA.

This action represents a significant step towards concluding regulatory oversight for the former Unilever site. Interested parties, including the public and potentially environmental groups, are invited to submit written comments by April 16, 2026, focusing on legal or technical issues. The department will consider requests for public meetings or hearings. Failure to comment may result in acceptance of the proposed remedy, leading to the cessation of corrective action requirements and regulatory oversight for the facility.

What to do next

Submit written comments on the proposed final remedy and regulatory release by April 16, 2026.
Review the statement of basis and supporting documents available at designated locations or online.

Source document (simplified)

Monday, March 16, 2026

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 16, 2026 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Waste Management Program invites the public to review and offer written comments on the proposed final remedy and regulatory release for the Unilever HPC-USA facility until April 16, 2026.

The department issued a statement of basis in support of the proposed final remedy of no further corrective action at the Unilever facility. The department also proposes to release the facility from regulation as a former interim status hazardous waste storage facility subject to corrective action requirements of the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Law and regulations and federal Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

During the public comment period, anyone can request a public meeting or public hearing about the proposed final remedy and regulatory release. For more information, please contact Jesse Smith by telephone at 573-751-3296.

Unilever HPC-USA, formerly Chesebrough-Ponds, Inc., operated a commercial manufacturing facility, located on about 75 acres at 2600 West Truman Boulevard in Jefferson City. On Nov. 1, 1966, Chesebrough-Ponds began operating at the site, formulating and packaging health and beauty products such as Vaseline Intensive Care hand lotions, Cutex nail polish removers, Q-Tips and toothpaste. The facility also packaged pre-formulated nail polish, which was brought to the facility in 55-gallon drums. Historically the plant also manufactured cough syrup, lipstick and nail polish.

The department determined Unilever closed its regulated unit according to the approved closure plan and met the requirements of federal and state laws and regulations. The necessary steps have been taken to identify, investigate and clean up all solid waste management units and areas of concern at the facility. The program is proposing that no further corrective action is necessary.

The statement of basis, which discusses the department’s basis of support for the proposed final remedy, is available online at dnr.mo.gov/waste-recycling/what-were-doing/public-involvement/notices-comments. Some supporting documents are not available online due to file size.

Comments on the proposed final remedy and regulatory release are more effective if they point out legal or technical issues or provide information not in the record. Please send written comments to Jesse Smith, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Waste Management Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176; or by email to wmp@dnr.mo.gov.

For more information about the proposed regulatory release, or to obtain a written copy of the statement of basis for review, please contact Smith at 573-751-3296. Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals may reach Smith through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

The public can view and copy the Statement of Basis and supporting documents at the following locations:

Missouri River Regional Library
214 Adams St Jefferson City, MO
Phone: 573-634-2464
*During normal business hours.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources
1730 E. Elm St. (lower level) Jefferson City, MO
Phone: 573-751-3043
*File reviews must be made through a sunshine request. Please visit dnr.mo.gov/open-records-sunshine-law-requests.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7
Information Resource Center
11201 Renner Blvd. Lenexa, KS
Phone: 913-551-7241
*Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (not including federal holidays)